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Oak Creek recreation office previews natatorium design, year-round program growth
Summary
Oak Creek Community and Recreation presented program metrics and preliminary designs for a new natatorium tied to the Nov. 5 bond referendum. Staff highlighted program growth, new adaptive swim lessons and a planned natatorium with community and competition pools.
Oak Creek Community and Recreation updated the Common Council on program participation, new initiatives and preliminary designs for a proposed natatorium and community rec space on March 31.
Heather Ryan, director of Oak Creek Community and Recreation, told the council the joint recreation platform — a partnership between the city and the school district — registered 10,726 people for district programs in 2024. Ryan described a broad range of services the department provides, including childcare and wraparound care, Aspire after-school care, aquatics lessons and a recreational swim club, sports and wellness programming, facility rentals and enrichment classes.
Ryan highlighted new and expanded offerings for 2025: an NFL girls flag‑football program for grades 2–5 in cooperation with regional partners; adaptive one‑on‑one or small‑group swim lessons for people with special needs; and continued growth in the recreational swim club. Ryan said the department uses a scorecard to track metrics and that some program categories (aquatics; sports and wellness) still have registration opportunities for May and June and therefore will increase in the coming reporting period.
Ryan also presented 50%-stage natatorium design concepts following voter approval of a November 5 bond referendum. The design includes: - A community pool with zero-depth entry and four lanes for public use; - An eight‑lane competition pool with spectator seating on the second floor and diving board access; and - Community rooms adjacent to pools for senior classes, lifeguard training and rentals.
Ryan said a project team of district and city administrators, community members and architects have visited other facilities for design inspiration and that the design is roughly halfway through the planning process. She said the rec office will be the new home base for program staff when the facility is complete.
Council members praised the department’s responsiveness to community needs, asked about park-field availability and SilverSneakers programming, and thanked staff for supporting local youth leagues and cooperative programs with neighboring municipalities.
What’s next: Staff will continue design development and report back to the council as planning advances toward construction.
